Chapter 25

Get A Grip

[Jade's POV]

"So what do you like to do for fun?" Valarie asks me as we sit in traffic. We're on the way to pick up Ariana, my "sister" from school, but from the looks of it we're going to be late. An eighteen-wheeler has flipped to its side in the middle of the road not far from her school. If you don't know how to handle one, don't get behind the wheel because this is the type of shit that happens. Dumb asses…

I shrug. "Nothing."

"So you're telling me you have no type of hobby?"

"Nope." I say with a pop of my "p" but instantly sigh. I don't want to sound like I have an attitude towards her. She's went out of her way just to make sure I'm happy, and that I have a home with someone I at least know. She saved me from a lot of things I really didn't want to go through so my shitty attitude has to lay low when talking with her. I owe her my life. Don't bite the hand that feeds you Jade.

"..I mean…none that I know of." I correct myself giving her a quick glance and she just smiles at me.

"Well that's okay. We can find out what your hobby is. We just have to explore." She winks and to be honest I don't know how to feel about that.

"…Um...okay." I say turning away from her to look out my window. Nothings there but angry drivers and loud sirens.

"Jade it means we'll hang out more and explore different things like sports, music, writing…" She says as if she knew I wasn't sure.

I turn back to her with a side smile. "I like music…I've tried to write some, but it's not any good."

"I bet it's wonderful? Where is it?"

I put my head down. "In my room at home." I say before looking back to her. "I really don't want to go back there." I say with pain in my chest. The single thought of having to ever step foot back in that house makes me sick to my stomach. It makes me want to punch something or someone as hard as I can. It makes me want to just…just scream. I never want to go back there. Ever. And no one can make me, not even her.

She reaches over and puts a soft hand on my face. "First of all you are 'home'. Your home is with us. Secondly, you'll never have to go back there. I'm having all your stuff from your old room shipped over as soon as possible. Nothing else but your stuff. If there's anything else you want from that house just let me know by tomorrow morning so it can be added to the list. Don't worry about any of that baby. It's taken care of. Even your car."

I just nod as I let out a small breath I didn't even realize I was holding. That house holds so many horrible, just horrible memories. The memories I just want to erase from my mind but I'll never be able to. I just have to live with them the rest of my life, but I know it's over now so they aren't so hard to deal with. Well, I hope it's over now. I just hope this isn't some kind of sick dream I'm having, because if it is, I swear to God I'm going to kill myself when I wake up.

"So you never really answered my question about the Tori girl?" She lifts a brow and side smiles. "It's okay if you're into chicks. I don't judge."

I shrug. "I don't know what we are, but I did just ask her on a date." I say flashing my phone to her with a smile.

"Ooooo a date. Where to? Somewhere romantic?" She changes into a deep voice as she puts a hand over her heart and bats her eyelashes.

A small chuckle escapes my lips and I instantly confuse myself at the feeling. It's so new to me. A chuckle…that's so close to a laugh. I don't think my brain even knows how to work up a laugh to be honest…

"Just to Nozu and a movie." Wow my date suddenly sounds lame. I don't want to disappoint Tori, I really hope she likes… whoa, wait what!?

Did you just say you don't want to disappoint Tori?

Yeah…There's definitely something between us. I just don't know what it is. She just draws me to her. I mean…she's so sweet why wouldn't I be attracted? She's kind and caring. Always there and patient. And she's…pretty, she's really, really pretty.

"…Someone's blushing hard over there." Valarie interrupts my thoughts and I instantly realize I'm sitting with a goofy smile plastered across my face causing me to lose the smile and turn from her. Now my face is probably red from embarrassment. Way to go Jade. Way to go.

We finally bypass the traffic and before long we were pulling up into the carpool of Ariana's school. I mean for a secondary school this shit is pretty big. All the kids are waiting outside in cliché school girl uniforms impatiently waiting for their late rides.

"…Is this an all-girl school?" I ask looking around seeing not one male student in sight.

"Yes, she doesn't do so well around guys sometimes. So we enrolled her here." She says as she texts away on her phone.

I was going to question her until the back door opening and slamming shut grabs my attention as I look to the back.

"Hi mom, the traffic must have been crazy! You're about an hour late!" Ariana says in a voice that sounds like it should belong to someone twice her size.

"Sorry babe, how was school?" Valarie asks as the car starts to pull off and then she glances at me.

"It was fine." She answers Valarie as she looks me over and God she looks familiar. I swear I know this chick…

"Oh…you must be Jade. Mom told me about you." She smiles at me revealing one small dimples on the left side of her face and I know I fucking know her. Just let me think…

…

"Jade?" Valarie taps my shoulder. "Are you awake…"

I just lift my hand to quiet Valarie as I squint my eyes trying so hard to remember her face and I swear she's doing the same thing with me as she tilts her head to one side. "Do I know you?" She asks me first and now I know I know her. "I was going to ask you the same." I say.

She lets out a small giggle that sounded so much like….like…

"FUCK! ARIANA!" I yell smacking the seat, my heart pounding hard against my chest.

"Hey! Jade we don't use that type language. And what's going on you almost made me wreck!?" Valarie yells at me as my mouth drops.

"…What?" Ariana shakes her head in confusion.

"Ariana! It's me, Jade! Don't you remember!? I used to come over to see Cat all the time when we were little!" I say sounding overly excited and when I notice, I drastically calm myself into a more casual approach. "I'm Cat's friend…"

Ariana just looks at me funny as she shakes her head as if she's trying so hard to remember and she was so young back then…she probably won't remember like I do.

"..Cat? My…my sister?"

I just nod. "Don't you remember?"

She looks down for a moment before her eyes widen and she looks back up at me, a small smile creeping onto her face. "…Jadey." She says using the nickname she originally made for me that Cat stole soon after.

"….Okay what's happening?" I hear Valarie say as the car comes to a stop. From the corner of my eye I can see her looking back and forth from me and Ariana. "You two know each other?"

"Oh my gosh! It's really you!" Ariana says as she undoes her seatbelt and throws her arms around me the best way that she can with limited movement in the car.

"Ari please put your seatbelt back on. Gosh how do you two know each other? It really is a small world…" Valarie snickers to herself and then growls at the traffic we are now stuck in once more.

"Cat…is she…are you two still friends? Is she still around!? Oh my gosh can I see her!?" Her voice rising as she asked each question and I couldn't help but just smile and look over her. She looks so much like Cat, I don't even know how I over looked her for the small amount of time that I did.

And Cat…

Oh my God Cat is going to be so happy! She is going to be…Oh my god!

"Yes!" Was my reply as I turn around quickly retrieving my phone from the cup holder and dialing Cat's number as quickly as possible.

"Hello?" Cat answers in an confused voice and I wouldn't blame her…I never call her and we just got done talking not long ago when she called me.

"Cat! Oh my gosh. Guess. What!?" I yell into the phone. Knowing I'll be the one to fill an empty hole will just make me today.

"Is that her!? Is she on the phone!? Oh Let me talk, please!" Ariana scoots to the edge of her seat trying to grab my phone from me but I yank back and that's when I instantly get a new idea.

"What is it Jade?" I can hear the excitement in Cat's voice and I just smile.

"….Um Cat…I'll call you tonight okay?"

"…Um okay Jadey."

I hit the end call button as I just smile to myself.

"Why did you hang up!?" Ariana yells at me so eager…she's so so eager.

"I have a better plan. You'll see her tomorrow. Okay?"

"But can't I just talk to her please Jadey? I didn't even know if she was still alive. I gave up on ever talking to her again. Please call her, please." She begs with puppy dog eyes and to be honest it takes everything in me to reject her again, but I'm only saying no because I have a better plan. A better plan for them to meet in person. Oh it'll be great.

"….Okay…so….I'm so confused right now." Valarie throws her hands up and leans against the stirring wheel.

I turn to Valarie and simply explain how she's my friend sister from back in the day and Valarie pretty much knew everything from when they were split up. She finally realized the sister Ariana has been telling her about is my friend Cat.

"Oh my God…and even smaller world. Well lets go see her!" Valarie suggested and Ariana quickly agreed but I shook my head.

"Please tomorrow….I kind of want to make it a surprise thing for Cat." Yes, I'm thinking of her. I mean mad at Cat or not, which lately I haven't been, this is something that will be so delicate and life changing for her. I have to make it perfect. I want to do this…to introduce her to her sister, to give her this life changing gift.

Valarie smiles at me then at Ariana who is sitting with her eyebrows furrowed and a frown. "Pleaseee." She begs one last time and I shake my head.

"Let Jade take care of it. I'm sure it's worth the small wait." Valarie winks as traffic starts to move."

"Alright Jade, home sweet home." Valarie says as we walk into the front door of my new…my new home. I always used to say it takes a family to make a house a home…and this, this is definitely a home and let me say it's pretty darn big.

Pictures hang on the walls that are all accented in a different color making the home bright and happy. Stairs spiral up to the second floor in the living room and all the floors are a dark hard wood. Such a pretty home.

All of a sudden a huge dog comes running up to me and jumps on me almost causing me to fall onto the floor and let me say there's nothing I hate more than when people's dogs jump all over me. Get your fucking dog.

"Oh that's Lady. Girl get down." Ariana says taking the Retriever by the caller and pulling her down. "She's just happy to see you."

I force a smile at the dog before Valarie calls for me to follow her upstairs to my new room.

I let my finger side up the wooden rail as we make our way upstairs. I kind of just want to touch every part of the house to see if it's really real. To see if I wake up from this dream anytime soon.

"Okay Jade, here is your room. It used to be for guest but we have two guest rooms already so this one is now yours. If you want we can remove this bed and bring in yours so-"

"No!" I yell before clearing my throat. "No….this bed is fine. Please burn my old one."

There's just so many bad memories on my old bed. I was hoping that wasn't something she planned on shipping.

"Oh…you don't want your old bed? Wh….ohhh. Oh I understand Jade. I'm sorry baby. You can have this one. That's fine." She says putting a soft hand to my back that I slowly walk away from. I don't want too much comfort. I'm already weak enough as it is.

I let my hand trace the end of the bed before walking over to the window at a nice view of the backyard. I mean the room isn't gigantic or anything, but it's a perfect size. I'm not complaining at all. I kind of just stand there and close my eyes for a moment trying to soak it all in so that if I do wake up from this dream I can remember what it feels like to have this.

"Do you need a moment Jade?" Valarie asks causing my eyes to pop back open. I slowly turn to her and shake my head.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you Valarie…thank you for all of this, you didn't have to."

She smiles before walking over and embracing me in a huge hug that I return. "I just want you to be happy. You are very welcome sweet girl." She pulls back giving me a kiss on my head. "I'm going to get dinner started and Dean should be here any minute. You can just hang out and see the rest of the house or see what Ariana is up to. She's has some nice recording equipment for her music in her room. Maybe you guys can play around with that." She says as she puts her hands in her pockets. "Welcome home babygirl." And with that she's walking slowly from my room.

It wasn't long at all that the front door was slamming shut and my and Ari's name was being called downstairs for dinner and for me to meet Dean. My new dad.

"Jade this is my husband Dean. Dean this is Jade. Sorry you two never got the chance to catch each other. After the signing, he had to get to work." Valarie says with her hands on my shoulder standing me in front of this man…this tall buff man with huge muscles and green eyes.

Ron has muscles and green eyes too…

"It's so nice to meet you Jade. Welcome to our family." He says politely before reaching out his hand that automatically causes me to flinch and step back.

"Dang…is there something on my face?" He makes a joke at my rejection taking his hand back and wiping his face.

"Jade? He was just trying to shake your hand." Valarie states in a warning tone because she knows I can have an attitude towards people. I mean I've been working on it as you can see I am nicer but it's not even that. I just…I didn't want to shake hand because…I just didn't want to.

Okay maybe that is an attitude….Jade lose it.

I reach out a shaky hand to him and smile. "Sorry." I blurt out quickly as he takes my hand in his with a firm grip and everything in me wants to snatch my hand away but I don't give in. He gives a firm shake and then releases me.

"Nice to have you. Can't wait to get to know you Jade." He smiles and my heart drops.

Get to know me how? How does he want to get to know me? What is that supposed to mean?

Ugh Jade get a grip.

"So what's cookin' in the kitchen? Smells good babe. How was the rest of your day?" He kisses his wife casually as they both walk towards the kitchen, their voices trailing off.

"Well aren't you coming?" Ariana says as she passes me and walks into the dining room.

"Here, you and Jade set the table." Dean says handing Ari some plates and silverware.

"You can do the eating utensils. I'll do plates and napkins." Ari says happily handing over the forks, knifes and spoons.

I look down at the silverware before glancing back up at her where she's now humming to herself and placing a plate down perfectly and then a napkin beside it at each seat.

"What are you doing Jade? Come on." She says waving for me to start.

"…I..I um, I don't know what to do.." I say slightly embarrassed…

Is this something I should know?

"You what!? Have you never set a table before!?" She asks in shock and I just shake my head. I didn't even know people actually did this. It's always something that I saw on television. I didn't think it was reality. We used to just eat on the couch in front of the T.V. or bring in fast-food and sit at the table occasionally. Never this table setting shit.

"Whoa." She says in shock as if I told her I never used toilet paper before.

"It's fine." Valarie comes in and takes the silverware from me as if she were watching us the whole time. "I'll show you how. It's simple watch." And I do. I watch she places each fork, knife and spoon down at a specific spot and explains why they are set that way before letting me do the next setting. I mean it wasn't hard or anything. I got it right, it's just now I feel stupid, like I should have known.

And here I am feeling stupid once again as we all are seated at the table and Ariana grabs my hand while Valarie has her out for me across the table. "What are we doing?"

"We're saying grace. Do you want to say it?" Valarie asks and I just shake my head. "What's a grace?"

"Where have you been all your life!?"

"Ariana!" Valarie and Dean both scold her at the same time before Dean just shakes his head and Valarie sighs.

"It's giving thanks for our food."

"To who, God?"

"Yes." Valarie answers with a nod.

"I don't believe in God." I quickly blurt out and wish I hadn't when I hear the gasp Ari's makes, the choke in Deans throat, and see the frown on Valarie's face.

"You've never prayed before?" Ari asks in a sad tone and I nod.

"I mean yeah, but I never actually thought anybody was listening. I just do it to do it." I shrug.

"We're not discussing this right now." Valarie says in a dismissive tone before she makes us all bow our heads and she says grace.

Dinner wasn't bad at all. It was all so new to me though. The whole thing from the tale setting to saying grace to passing food around the table and asking to pass the salt. My mom and Ron never done anything like this or even when it was just me and my mom. We always just ate in front of the TV, I thought that's what most family's did. Even Tori's little perfect family ate in the living room.

"Jade do you mind washing dishes tonight?" Valarie ask as I help "unset" the table. At least it's easier than setting it.

At least I can't screw that up…. "I can do that." I nod walking to the kitchen with my plate and an empty pot putting it in the sink before starting the dish water and quickly start to scrub the dishes as she brings the rest in.

"Baby." I hear Valarie's soft voice behind me as she puts her hands on my shoulders and puts her head to my back. "We have a dishwasher. Just rinse the plates off." She chuckles a bit before removing her hands and walking away.

Fuck…

Embarssed for the 100th time today I let the soapy water out and begin to rinse the dishes and set them in the dishwasher as nicely as possible.

"Hey I have one more." I hear the voice of Dean from behind but I don't turn around. I hear his footsteps getting closer and I freeze with the glass plate in my hands as the water runs over it before slowly turning and bending down to put it in the washer. My eyes catch his feet approaching on the floor and I see his arm reach out.

In one quick motion I jerk up my back hitting something hard that falls to the floor and breaks the sounds making my body jump.

"…Aw Jade. I thought I could get it in the sink before you lifted up." He laughed. "Are you okay? It didn't cut you did it?" He ask with real concern as I just shake my head and look around but no one was there but me and him.

I watch as he walks over and grabs a broom before coming back to sweep as I slowly back as far into the corner of the counter as I can with him moving closer and closer until he was right in front of me.

"Jade…you're standing on glass. Can you please step aside a little so I can get it. Good thing you have shoes on, your foot would be cut for days. How bad would it look for us to rush you to the ER on your first night? Great parents huh?" He chuckles as I just watch every move he makes.

"Jade seriously can you stand over a bit?" He asks again and I slide over a bit but I don't want to walk passed him. I like the corner.

"…Jade really?" He says grabbing the bottom of my ankle and I scream. I don't mean to scream, I don't mean to have the whole family rushing into the kitchen and Dean backing away with his hands up with a bewildered look on his face.

Ugh Jade, what has gotten into you, he just wanted to get the glass!

"Dean? Jade what's going on?" Valerie asks with wide eyes.

"I…I I was just getting the glass and…I think…I don't know what happened. I really don't know." He puts his hands up.

"Jade?" She turns to me and then looks at the glass.

"Did you do this?"

I shook my head. "I mean…yeah but I didn't mean to…I…I knocked it out of his hand by accident and…and…" I feel my eyes fill with tears as my voice hiccupped before just covering my ears and running from the kitchen up to my room.

I hop on my bed in a ball before just letting tears flow and I don't even know why. Why am I crying? What the heck is happening? What was that?

I know it can't be that…that I'm afraid of him or anything. He's a nice guy I know it. I'm not afraid I'm just…it's just. I don't know what it is. I'm very safe here, and I know I am so what's the problem Jade? Huh?

I'm okay….I just need to get a grip and let go of the past.

But why is it so hard?

Thanks for reading guys

Trying to update sooner I hate to keep you guys waiting.

What do you think about Jade and her reactions to Dean? What do you think Jade has planned for Cat and Ariana's reunion? Favorite parts? Least favorite parts?

Don't be afraid to let me know, please review! Love you guys!